Estimating Risk

Estimating an individual’s global risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) can help early and preventative action to be taken. In general, global risk estimation is not necessary when dealing with a person who has obviously has a number of CV risk factors (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, obesity) already present or who has a proven history of CVD or long-standing type 2 diabetes.¹ Such individuals are already at high risk of CVD and should be managed accordingly.

Risk estimation can be useful for assessing the likelihood of an individual without a prior CV event developing CVD. It is important to bear in mind that a patient with one CV risk factor may be harbouring another, as risk factors for CVD tend to cluster in individuals.^2,3 Therefore, a patient presenting with mildly elevated blood pressure or cholesterol or any other modifiable CV risk factor should be investigated thoroughly,² as one risk factor can compound the other, producing an additive effect.

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